Fig. 3

Schematic lithostratigraphic logs illustrating the along-strike facies changes in the sedimentary record of the External Dinairdes in broader Velebit region. This correlation is based on five stratigraphic logs (locations can be found in Fig. 4), homogenized for smaller areas arranged across-strike, compiled from official geological map sheets (Grimani et al., 1972; Sokač et al., 1974; Šušnjar et al., 1973). The contact of Middle and Lower Jurassic was used as a refernece datum. The correlation shows that the Split-Karlovac Fault served a paleogegraphic boundary for the Upper Permian evaporites, which are exclusively preserved east of the fault. The preserved thickness of the upper Middle Triassic succession (T₂²) suggest that the area was affected by Mesozoic extension, dissecting the area from W-E into the Velebit half grabens, the Bruvno horst and the Knin graben. Combined with the present-day fault pattern it suggests that the Velebit backthrusts (Velebit Fault System, Lika Backthrust) and the dextral transpressive Split-Karlovac Fault originated from Triassic normal faults. Also the uppermost Jurassic (J₃²³) shows a lateral facies pinchout towards the NW. The highlighted upper Middle Triassic and uppermost Jurassic successions, served as marker horizon to quantify and model the passive margin extension